Nav Social Menu

Mattest of the Matte Foundation

I have oily skin. Nvm let me rephrase that, I have VERY oily skin. It’s part of those good old Mexican genes my parents gave me, and yes I do hear my mom tell me all the time, mijita having oily skin is a good thing it’s going to help you look young when you start getting older. *Sigh* As much as I appreciate that to be in my favor, I still struggle when it comes to makeup. Don’t get me wrong, I love the dewy look and all but there are times where I look like I ran a marathon and people ask me why my face is all shiny. So I did my research this past month and went on a makeup quest to find the Mattest of the Matte foundation there is.

Before I get into the list, let me just say a few reminders. All matte makeup oxidizes. In fact, according to Daniela Morisini-writer for The DeBrief, every makeup oxidizes. You just don’t notice it sometimes. Oxidation is a chemical reaction between your makeup and the air. Some makeup can take hours to oxidize and some can take minutes. It all depends on the material. That said, make sure you get a shade or two lighter than your skin tone so it evens out. If you have dry skin, it’s best to stay away from matte makeup. It will just make your face look like a dried up prune, no offense. If you suffer from acne or don’t want any bumps on the face to stand out, then I’d say to stay away from these specific matte foundations that I’m about to mention. There is another post I’ll be doing on best foundation for acne prone skin (stay tuned). Last but not least, if you’re worried about wrinkles, then try to stay away from super matte makeup. According to prevention.com, even the slightest sign of aging can be magnified with the wrong makeup. There is soft matte foundation available out there that are right for you if you have oily skin and are dealing with wrinkles. Now that all is said and done, let get to it! Here is what I found.

♦Rimmel LondonStay Matte Liquid Mousse Foundation. $5.49

This foundation is exactly what it sounds like. It’s a lightweight shine control foundation that comes in a mousse texture. When I first squeezed some of this baby out of the bottle, it had an airy, fluffy feel to it, just like a mousse. It was very pleasant. It’s oil-free, minimizes the appearance of pores, and doesn’t feel greasy or heavy on the skin. I have to say, for paying 5 bucks for this product I’m very impressed with the quality. The only thing about this foundation that I did not like is that it oxidized within 5 minutes so once again, be careful and try to aim for your true color by going a shade or two lighter than your natural skin tone. I know it’s hard to get a true match with drug store products but remember as long as you keep your receipt you can always exchange it for another color.

♦Estée Lauder Double Wear Stay-In-Place Makeup $42

There is a lot a hype on this foundation. A lot of people have tried this and they either love it or they hate it. I personally love it! Not only is this oil-free and lightweight, but it’s also buildable. It has medium to full coverage, which is great if you’re wanting to use it for special events or going out. Their slogan is also true, it does stay in place and lasts up to 24 hours. The longest I’ve gone wearing this foundation has been 18 hours and holy batman does this baby stay-in-place! Estée Lauder does claim that it won’t change color on you but I did notice a slight change after wearing it for 12 hours, but ever so slightly.The lady who sold this to me at Nordys did tell me to still get a shade lighter just in case. Even if it didn’t oxidize right away, it was bound to happen. And I have to say, I’m impressed it took that long for it to start changing color and it wasn’t even that drastic of a change that you would expect from makeup oxidizing. It’s fragrance free formula makes it perfect for people sensitive with smells and it’s also non-acnegenic, which won’t cause acne or make it worse. If you’re still not convinced then I highly recommend getting a sample at Sephora to try it out and test it out for yourself. You’ve got nothing to lose, right?

♦bareMinerals® barePRO Performance Wear Pressed Powder Foundation $30

Ladies and Gentlemen, this is the Mattest of the Matte Pressed Powder Foundation on the planet. They don’t call is barePRO Performance Wear for no reason. It has medium to full coverage that lasts up to 12 hours. According to bareMinerals, it’s formulated with 90% of natural ingredients including vitamins and minerals, which allows it to be breathable and buildable. If you have sensitive skin then this brand is the one for you. Some of you might not like the idea of Pressed Powder Foundation but if you’re looking for a real matte foundation, then baby doll this is it. If you’re an active person or carry an active lifestyle in which you find yourself perspiring throughout the day, then pressed powder is great for that. Even matte liquid foundation can make your skin look oily if you’re constantly sweating. Another fun fact, powder absorbs oil. I have to say, I wasn’t used to seeing my skin look that Matte when I first applied it. I’ve tested it out during hot summer days here in L.A. and I have to say, it didn’t disappoint. If you’re curious to try it I say go for it! Worse case scenario you hate it, you can always return it as long as you keep your receipt and do it within 30 days.

♦Insurance

For those of you who prefer liquid foundation and want to make sure you stay matte the rest of your day, then I highly recommend using this finishing powder:

♦bareMinerals® Mineral Veil Finishing Powder SPF 25$23

This is the perfect finishing touch to your ultra Matte look. This powder comes in two shades, original and tinted. Unless you have dark skin, then I recommend the original shade. Not only does this finishing powder mattify the skin, but it also blurs and minimized the appearance of fine lines and pores. I’ve been using this for 6 months now and absolutely love it! ♥ It also has a lot of great benefits. It protects skin from harmful UVA/UVB rays, extends the wear of foundation and makeup, gives you an airbrushed look and it’s natural ingredients soothes and nourishes your skin.